1eroctober 2018
According to a recent survey by the magazine 60 million consumers, some frozen fruits and vegetables contain more chemicals than when they are fresh or canned.
Some frozen fruits and vegetables contain chemicals banned in France
Journalists fromEurope 1 relayed on September 28 a survey of the October issue of the magazine 60 million consumers, which reveals that some frozen fruits and vegetables are said to contain more pesticides and endocrine disruptors than when they are fresh. Some chemicals banned in France have even been found in frozen raspberries and green beans: carbendazim, boscalid, two fungicides, and linuron (a herbicide).
To reach this conclusion, the association screened more than 130 fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets, fresh and frozen, especially peas, green beans and raspberries. The main reason for the presence of pesticides and endocrine disruptors is simple: fruits and vegetables are frozen immediately after harvest, preventing the chemicals present from breaking down.
Low health risks
According to 60 million consumers, a study conducted by INRA (National Institute for Agronomic Research) on mice demonstrated that 6 pesticides, 4 of which were found in certain frozen fruits and vegetables, resulted in ” weight gain, increased body fat and diabetes “.
The health risks of the presence of these chemicals, however, need to be put into perspective, since the doses detected are below the maximum limits authorized by law, explains the magazine. 60 million consumers furthermore specifies that very low pesticide residues have been found in organic products and that almost all of the tomatoes and button mushrooms tested did not contain any trace of dangerous chemicals.
Aurelie Giraud
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